The Illinois General Assembly has ignored the balanced budget requirement of the Illinois Constitution for fiscal years 2016 and 2017. The balanced budget requirement really shouldn’t be in dispute. The language in the Illinois Constitution is fairly clear:
Appropriations for a fiscal year shall not exceed funds estimated bythe General Assembly to be available during that year.
Frustrated with the failing system of determining a balanced budget, State Rep. Keith Wheeler of Oswego initiated a letter to AG Madigan this week, calling on her to demand the Illinois House follow the law.
The letter to Attorney General Lisa Madigan on Thursday called on her to use the power of her office to force the Illinois General Assembly to adopt a revenue estimate prior to the filing and passage of any spending bills, in order to prevent further damage to the state’s finances and the many social service providers who serve the most vulnerable individuals and families across Illinois.
Representative Wheeler’s letter to the Attorney General was co-signed by 39 other House Republican legislators.